CHAPTER 61: The Washington Incident - Part XI

CHAPTER 61: The Washington Incident - Part XI

The atmosphere inside the bunker had begun to relax, and the team, now calmer, walked through the corridors leading to the exit. They had been in that place for so long, but it seemed the nightmare was finally coming to an end. Phoenix, with the medal of honor in his hand, walked at the front, but he couldn't help but notice his comrades starting to make comments among themselves.

Lucian, always with that light and sarcastic attitude, was the first to break the silence.

"Well, well... it seems that award should be for the whole team, shouldn't it?" he said with a wide smile. "Not just for loner Phoenix over here."

Vanessa followed suit, raising an eyebrow in a playful tone. "Exactly. I was there too, buying time until you showed up to make everything work perfectly. This medal, technically, is for the whole team."

Enid, as always, didn't hold back, letting out a small laugh before adding, "Right, because being the one who keeps everything under control while you all try not to destroy the place is just as important, isn't it?"

Phoenix looked at them, a small smile curling his lips, before shaking his head in disapproval, though clearly amused by their attitude.

"You weren't the ones out there taking Adam's punches, countering his strength, and regenerating at the same time," he replied, pausing for dramatic effect before adding, "What you did was admire each other while I saved the day."

Lucian laughed, while Vanessa and Enid exchanged knowing glances.

"Hey, if it weren't for our moral support, you wouldn't have been able to do anything!" Lucian joked, as Vanessa nodded in an equally humorous tone.

"And let's not forget, while you were taking all those hits, someone had to maintain calm and organization. You almost passed out after every impact!" Enid added, smiling mockingly.

Phoenix burst out laughing, the tension of the last few days seeming to fade for a moment. The light camaraderie between them, though laden with sarcasm and humor, was proof that despite everything they'd been through, there was still room for irony.

"Alright, alright," said Phoenix, raising his hand in surrender. "I guess you all deserve a small share of the credit. But don't let me forget what really happened. Without me, Adam would be here giving you a lecture on how to conquer the world."

The group continued walking toward the bunker exit, laughing and leaving the solemnity of the moment behind. The medal of honor still shone in Phoenix's hands, but now, in his mind, it had become a kind of inside joke, a way to seal not only the end of the mission but also the unique bond he had formed with his team.

In the end, Phoenix gave them one last look, and though his expression remained serious, a hint of a smile stayed on his face. "You know what? In the end, it's all a team. There's no way to do this alone."

And though everyone knew Phoenix was still the leader and the center of it all, they also understood that without the help and support of each one of them, that medal would never have been possible.

The lights of Berlin shone through the large window of Viktor's office, CEO of Antigen. In the quiet space, night had already fallen, but the city lights illuminated the skyscrapers and the nightlife that never seemed to stop. Viktor watched pensively, his face grave and calculating, while the reflections of the lights mixed with his cold gaze. His mind was busy processing the latest news: Phoenix had defeated Adam.

A heavy silence filled the office. Darem, who was standing beside him, remained expectant, though he wouldn't dare interrupt the analysis Viktor was conducting in his mind.

Finally, Viktor broke the silence, his voice low but full of palpable tension.

"I've heard. Phoenix beat Adam," he said, as if chewing on the thought. His fingers drummed on the desk, an almost imperceptible movement, but one that indicated something was brewing in his mind. "This changes things."

Darem, who had been waiting for a moment like this, didn't seem surprised. To him, Phoenix's power had always been a concern, but he knew Viktor had something else planned.

"What do we do now?" asked Darem, not taking his eyes off Viktor. He knew his leader's reactions were never hasty; there was always a strategy behind every word, every move.

Viktor turned slowly toward him, his eyes gleaming with icy determination.

"From now on, everything is going to get much more interesting. Phoenix has shown what he's capable of, and that makes him a real threat. But don't worry, Darem... very soon, Berlin will know true hell," his voice grew even darker as his eyes fixed again on the illuminated city, as if he were already planning the downfall of the man who had challenged his dominion.

Darem nodded slowly, feeling the weight of Viktor's words begin to sink in. He knew that what came next would be something much bigger, and he would be at the epicenter of it.

"So, what's the next step?" asked Darem, already preparing for whatever Viktor had in mind.

Viktor smiled faintly, a cold and cruel smile.

"Let's see how strong Phoenix really is. He and his team have no idea what's waiting for them. Berlin will be the stage, and we, the ones who manipulate the shadows, are about to show them darkness in its purest form."

The atmosphere grew even tenser. The battle for power had only just begun. Antigen no longer just faced Phoenix as an inconvenient problem: now, its very existence was at stake.

Viktor left the window behind and went to his desk, where, with precise movements, he began to review the latest reports that had come in. He knew he had to move his pieces quickly. Phoenix had proven he could be a true rival, but he also knew there was something about him, a hidden weakness that had yet to be exploited.

With his mind working at full speed, Viktor could only smile at the thought of what was to come.